Is Addiction Treatment Worth The Risk During COVID-19? Ask Yourself These Questions

Is Addiction Treatment Worth The Risk During COVID-19? Ask Yourself These Questions

One thing addicts and alcoholics didn’t imagine facing is a roadblock to treatment as massive and elusive as addiction itself: the novel coronavirus. Yet in 2020, many addicts are having to decide whether going to rehab will help them or make things harder.

Addiction doesn’t stop for a global viral outbreak. But neither do treatment centers. Despite COVID-19, United States drug rehabs, including Hotel California by the Sea, remain open. Caring employees continue dedicating their time to fighting addiction – a different type of global health crisis.

(And, yes, addicts are continuing to recover safely.)

There are multiple potential implications for gathering anywhere during this outbreak-turned-pandemic, including at a drug rehab. However, there are dangers of not seeking treatment for an addiction to drugs or alcohol during COVID-10, too. And for many people, including the family members and loved ones of addicts, it’s hard to tell which choice is the right one.

Listen, deciding whether to seek addiction treatment is always a tricky decision. The words “rehab” and “easy” are pretty much antonyms – at least in our book.

However, to make it a little easier on you, we’ve come up with a few honest questions to ask yourself if you’re struggling with the sensitive decision of whether or not to go to rehab. If you’re on the fence about getting sober in treatment, take a look below.

Do I Believe I Can Control My Using Or Drinking?

Many addicts struggle with the belief that they might be able to control their use without needing to go to treatment for their substance use disorder.

Unfortunately, this attempt doesn’t usually work out in the case of addiction. Sometimes, this thought pattern also leads to a deep pattern of denial that eventually requires an intervention. If you’ve been struggling with trying to control your drinking or using drugs for an extended amount of time, it might be the right time to go to an inpatient rehab or outpatient program.

During the heightened fear over the coronavirus pandemic, addicts and alcoholics need more support than ever. If attempting to control your use is getting exhausting, it might be time to seek professional substance abuse and mental health support.

Am I Isolated To A Dangerous Degree?

Social isolation is one of the biggest triggers for alcoholics and addicts. Loneliness, a rather transcendent feeling in all people, can be an especially dangerous emotional state for addicts.

It might be hard for many people to avoid feelings of isolation during the United State’s calls for social distancing.

Inpatient rehab programs offer valuable support groups that help fight isolation every day. Not only this, but clients also can seek medical advice from addiction professionals constantly and aid their feelings of loneliness with the support of experts.

Will Detoxing Be Dangerous For Me?

Detoxing can be dangerous if done alone. It might be tempting to detox in private right now, but withdrawing from certain drugs can worsen symptoms of mental health disorders and cause some pretty scary physical side effects. For drugs like alcohol and benzodiazepines, withdrawal can even be deadly.

Be honest with yourself: will detoxing alone be dangerous, or so uncomfortable it might cause a relapse? Am I on a drug that could potentially cause me serious emotional or physical harm to detox from alone?

What Are The Safety Precautions That My Desired Rehab Is Taking?

Perhaps one of the most crucial questions to ask yourself, and the rehab you are thinking of going to, is whether they’re taking the proper government-advised precautions to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every medical facility should be aware of the signs of COVID-19 and equipped with knowledge of how to prevent its spread on an individual and company-wide level. When contacting a rehab you or your loved one is interested in attending, make sure to ask them about what they’re doing to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in their facility.

Is your rehab screening for the novel coronavirus before admission?

Are they enforcing hand-washing and other sanitary measures?

Are clients and staff screened daily for signs and symptoms of COVID-19?

Is this rehab prepared with proper emergency protocols if someone happens to contract the novel coronavirus?

Is there medical staff on-site that can help with any possible health complications?

You can view the safety measures that Hotel California by the Sea is taking to fight the spread of the newest coronavirus here.

Am I More At-Risk Than Others?

It’s important to ask yourself whether you are particularly at-risk for contracting the novel coronavirus due to a pre-existing condition like asthma or an immune system disorder. In this case, attending rehab is an especially sensitive decision.

However, many addicts and alcoholics actually become more susceptible to this deadly bug due to their drug use. For example, this illness seems to characteristically attack its sufferer’s lungs. Those that smoke a copious amount of marijuana, or ingest other drugs by smoking them, could become particularly vulnerable to getting COVID-19.

It comes down to this: When you have a higher risk of getting the novel coronavirus due to the consequences of your addiction, rehab might be your best option.

Could I Actually Be Safer In Rehab?

Many addicts and alcoholics end up homeless, or roaming from place to place, due to the consequences of their addiction. Rehab provides a stable place for addicts and alcoholics to rebuild their lives and heal from addiction, trauma, and other mental health disorders.

Consistently living in one place while recovering from addiction will lessen the chances of getting the newest coronavirus, as will having shelter. Treatment facilities, with on-site medical personnel, provide this outstanding opportunity while also helping you recover from addiction.

Do I have Virtual Options?

Many addicts and alcoholics are turning to virtual meetings, like alcoholics anonymous and other twelve step programs, to help them recover from substance abuse. Luckily, many rehabs, including Hotel California by the Sea, are currently offering virtual outpatient services as well.

If you’re scared of physically attending rehab, a virtual outpatient program could be a fine middle ground.

With every difficult choice, there is always a trade-off. COVID-19 and addiction flirt with pretty scary possibilities, including fatality. However, if your treatment center is taking the necessary precautions to prevent and fight this new public health crisis, you’ll likely find that rehab is the right choice for you.

And, yes, it’s even possible that seeking addiction treatment now could lessen your chances of contracting the coronavirus in the long term for many points listed above.

There is never an easy time to recover from addiction, but seeking treatment could change your life. If you’re interested in what Hotel California by the Sea is doing to combat the spread of COVID-19 virus or are interested in attending our drug and alcohol rehab, reach out to our admissions team today!